Primary and high schools

Choosing a school

You can search for a school in your local area on the Australian Schools Directory website. This includes Government (public), private (Catholic or Independent), special needs and boarding schools.

The My School website provides information on primary and high schools in Australia and includes the school profile, NAPLAN results, attendance levels, sources of funding and VET course enrolments or qualifications completed. This allows parents and carers to see how the performance of each school is changing over time.

Enrolments

The age at which you have to enrol your child in primary school varies from state to state.

NSW: You can enrol your child in kindergarten at the beginning of the school year if they turn 5 on or before 31 July of that year. They must be enrolled by their sixth birthday.

ACT: If your child turns five on or before 30 April, they can start Kindergarten that year. If your child turns 5 after 30 April, they can start Kindergarten the following year.
QLD: To enrol in Prep, children must be aged 5 years by 30 June in the year of proposed attendance.
VIC: To start primary school your child will need to turn 5 years old by 30 April in the year that they start school. Your child must be at school in the year that they turn 6 years of age.
SA: if they turn 5 before 1 May, they can start primary school (reception) that year. if they turn 5 on or after 1 May, they can start the following year.
NT: They must be enrolled by their sixth birthday.
WA: Your child must start pre-primary when they are 5 years old by 30 June in the year they start school
TAS: Every child, from the year they turn 5 must be enrolled at and attending school. Children can also attend Kindergarten from 4 years of age.

Tutoring

You might decide to find a tutor if your child is having difficulties keeping up with their school work, having difficulties staying focused, if they are lacking confidence or if you want them to have extra challenges. You can ask you child's teacher if they think a tutor would be useful for your child if you are unsure.

Finding the right tutor for your child can be difficult and you may be concerned about finding someone who is reliable and trustworthy. You can find a tutor by searching the internet or asking friends or family for recommendations. Many tutors are qualified teachers or there are some online programs that might be useful as well.

Home schooling

Alternatively you might choose to educate your child/ren at home outside of a school. You can find some providers online who can facilitate your child's learning at home or they can provide you with Homeschool Curriculum Packages to help you with your child's learning.

Each state has different requirements for homeschooling but you must register if you would prefer this approach to your child's learning.

Primary and high schools

ACT: If your child turns five on or before 30 April, they can start Kindergarten that year. If your child turns 5 after 30 April, they can start Kindergarten the following year.

QLD: To enrol in Prep, children must be aged 5 years by 30 June in the year of proposed attendance.

VIC: To start primary school your child will need to turn 5 years old by 30 April in the year that they start school. Your child must be at school in the year that they turn 6 years of age.

SA: if they turn 5 before 1 May, they can start primary school (reception) that year. if they turn 5 on or after 1 May, they can start the following year.

NT: They must be enrolled by their sixth birthday.

WA: Your child must start pre-primary when they are 5 years old by 30 June in the year they start school

TAS: Every child, from the year they turn 5 must be enrolled at and attending school. Children can also attend Kindergarten from 4 years of age.

Tutoring

Home schooling

Alternatively you might choose to educate your child/ren at home outside of a school. You can find some providers online who can facilitate your child's learning at home or they can provide you with Homeschool Curriculum Packages to help you with your child's learning.

Each state has different requirements for homeschooling but you must register if you would prefer this approach to your child's learning.

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